The correct option is Ajanta.
Explanation
The mural paintings of the Ajanta Caves are globally renowned for their illustrations of the life of the Buddha, Jataka tales, and Avadanas (narratives of noble deeds), serving as visual representations of Buddhist literature.
Detailed Analysis:
- Ajanta: The narrative of the Simhala Avadana is depicted in Cave 17 of the Ajanta Caves. Cave 17 is often called the "Picture Gallery" because it contains the largest number of well-preserved paintings. The Simhala Avadana illustrates the story of Prince Simhala (a merchant) who is shipwrecked on an island of ogresses (Rakshasis) and is eventually saved by a flying horse named Balaha, an incarnation of the Bodhisattva.
- Ellora: The paintings at Ellora (e.g., in the Kailasanatha temple) are distinct from Ajanta. They cover Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain themes but do not feature the specific narrative cycle of the Simhala Avadana found in the earlier Ajanta tradition.
- Bagh: The paintings in the Bagh Caves (Madhya Pradesh) are stylistically similar to Ajanta but are more secular in nature, focusing on contemporary life and material culture rather than specific Buddhist Avadana stories.
- Badami: The Badami Caves (Karnataka) house the earliest surviving Brahmanical (Hindu) murals, particularly in Cave 4, depicting deities like Shiva and Indra, unrelated to Buddhist lore.
Key Takeaway: The Simhala Avadana is a prominent narrative painting located in Cave 17 of Ajanta, depicting the story of the merchant Simhala and the divine horse Balaha.